Even as we read of a lone complaint in the Tulsa Beacon ("Tulsa's Family Newspaper") that a few tax dollars might "trickle down" to help support science celebrations at the University of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma legislature has issued its verdict on its so-called "Academic Freedom" legislation.
Bill to promote classroom discussion of alternative theories to evolution fails
By Associated Press
10:59 AM CST, February 16, 2009
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A bill to promote discussion of alternative theories to evolution and other contentious issues in science classrooms has been narrowly defeated in a state Senate committee.
The vote was 7-6 on Monday in the Senate Education Committee against Sen. Randy Brogdon's Scientific Education and Academic Freedom Act.
The Owasso Republican says teachers in his district fear retribution for bringing up alternative theories on a wide range of subjects, such as evolution and stem cell research.
But McAlester Democrat Sen. Richard Lerblance calls the bill a subterfuge that would lead to teaching of theories based on religious viewpoints and not science.
The theory that there is an intelligent design to the universe and life has been advanced to counter court rulings prohibiting the teaching of creationism as science.
By Associated Press
10:59 AM CST, February 16, 2009
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A bill to promote discussion of alternative theories to evolution and other contentious issues in science classrooms has been narrowly defeated in a state Senate committee.
The vote was 7-6 on Monday in the Senate Education Committee against Sen. Randy Brogdon's Scientific Education and Academic Freedom Act.
The Owasso Republican says teachers in his district fear retribution for bringing up alternative theories on a wide range of subjects, such as evolution and stem cell research.
But McAlester Democrat Sen. Richard Lerblance calls the bill a subterfuge that would lead to teaching of theories based on religious viewpoints and not science.
The theory that there is an intelligent design to the universe and life has been advanced to counter court rulings prohibiting the teaching of creationism as science.
posted by Cheryl Shepherd-Adams
